tracked leader, left in lead 3rd, headed 8th, led after 10th, ridden and headed before next, soon weakened, tailed off
led until mistake and unseated rider 3rd
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, headed last, no extra
tracked leaders, led 8th, mistake 10th, soon headed and ridden, led before next, blundered badly 2 out, soon headed, one pace
tracked leaders, hit 5th, ridden after 10th, edged left and weakened after 2 out
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on to lead last, edged left, driven out
Never So Blue missed an intended engagement the other day and whilst he isn't the best treated returning to hurdles, he is still fancied to oblige and boost his confidence ahead of a return to fences; Jump Jet and Fountain Hill could be the main dangers. The selection has taken two heavy tumbles over fences of late and connections' main priority will be that he makes it round in one piece and completes the course. However he obviously has plenty of ability and having proven his stamina over this sort of trip in the past he could win again. Fountain Hill ran well in third just four days ago and this former Ditcheat inmate still has ability, whilst Jockser is a course and distance winner and despite his lack of recent form should not be scoffed at. Legally Fast showed a lot more last time but is not one to set the watch by, so a bigger danger may be Jump Jet. Carl Llewellyn's gelding ran a bit of a stinker last time but may be more at home in this easier field and the track should suit more than Kempton. Blinkers may spark a revival in Nougat De L'Isle, however it is Never So Blue who receives the nomination.
Fountain Hill (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, hit 9th, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced by front pair, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Scots Dragoon (10-11) at Ascot 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Jockser (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon behind, last of 11, 45l behind Star Beat (9-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Jump Jet (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 8th, led before 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 10, 32l behind Mossville (10-6) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Nougat de L'Isle (FR) 7-1 (10-10) Led, headed after 3 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 7, 23l behind Pistol Desbois (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Legally Fast (USA) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders until lost pace 7th, soon ridden, headway after 3 out, left 3rd next, no further impression, 3rd of 9, 8l behind The Wooden Spoon (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Bengal Bullet 28-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, 8th of 15, well behind Commander Vic (11-1) at Taunton 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Never So Blue (FR) 11-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders until lost place 10th, ridden and headway 12th, challenging when fell 3 out in race won by Even More (11-1) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
